Parties take a stand

[NewsWhore]

The three main political parties, the PRD, PLD and PRSC, have all agreed to take all necessary precautions and to investigate the backgrounds of any candidates associated with their parties to ensure they are not involved in drug trafficking or associated with any other criminal activity. Alejandrina German, Coordinator of the PLD's National Electoral Commission says that if a candidate is found to have a record or have some type of drug affiliation they will be informed of their ineligibility to run for office. PRSC president Carlos Morales Troncoso said that his party would not accept anyone with any type of link to drug trafficking. The sudden interest in limiting the participation of candidates associated with the drug trade came last week when the head of the Ethics Committee, lawyer Vinicio "Vincho" Castillo announced that he had information that some candidates planning to run for office in the congressional and municipal elections were linked to drug trafficking. This has caused a stir within the parties, but what was most surprising is the allegation by Deputies Gustavo Sanchez, Digna Reynoso and Jose Alberto Santana, who claim that 30% of all pre-candidates are linked to drug trafficking. According to Castillo even those who have been deported back to the DR should not be elected. But there is now pressure on Castillo to reveal the names of the individuals he claims are involved in drug trafficking. In response Castillo said he does not have to give any names, adding that they can be found online.

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